U.S. patent application number 11/957658 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for non-contact temperature-measuring device and the method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Avita Corporation. Invention is credited to Kun Sung Chen, Ying Chao Lin, Hsing Ou Yang.
Application Number | 20080246625 11/957658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39826450 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080246625 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Kun Sung ; et
al. |
October 9, 2008 |
NON-CONTACT TEMPERATURE-MEASURING DEVICE AND THE METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
This invention provides a non-contact temperature-measuring
device including a distance sensor unit, an alarm unit, a
temperature sensor unit, a microprocessor unit and a display unit.
The distance sensor unit measures the distance between the device
and a target. The alarm unit gives an alarm when the distance
sensor unit measures a predetermined distance value. The
temperature sensor unit measures a temperature of the target after
the alarm unit gives the alarm. The microprocessor unit stores data
of the predetermined distance value and the temperature value
measured by the temperature sensor unit; the microprocessor unit
also processes a distance signal emitted by the distance sensor
unit and a temperature signal emitted by the temperature sensor
unit. When the target's distance value equals the predetermined
distance value, the microprocessor unit will further send a command
for the alarm unit to give an alarm. The display unit of the device
displays the temperature value that is measured by the temperature
sensor unit and processed by the microprocessor unit
subsequently.
Inventors: |
Chen; Kun Sung; (San-Chung,
TW) ; Lin; Ying Chao; (San Chung, TW) ; Ou
Yang; Hsing; (San-Chung, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VENABLE LLP
P.O. BOX 34385
WASHINGTON
DC
20043-9998
US
|
Assignee: |
Avita Corporation
Taipei
TW
|
Family ID: |
39826450 |
Appl. No.: |
11/957658 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/686.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01J 5/0025 20130101;
G01J 5/08 20130101; G01J 5/0022 20130101; G01J 5/026 20130101; G01J
5/0275 20130101; G01J 5/0896 20130101; G01J 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/686.6 |
International
Class: |
G08B 21/18 20060101
G08B021/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 9, 2007 |
TW |
96112250 |
Claims
1. A non-contact temperature-measuring device, comprising: a
distance sensor unit for measuring a target's distance; an alarm
unit for giving an alarm when the distance sensor unit measures a
predetermined distance value; a temperature sensor unit for
measuring the target's temperature after the alarm unit gives the
alarm; a microprocessor unit for storing the predetermined distance
value and the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor
unit, for processing a distance signal indicating the target's
distance measured by the distance sensor unit and a temperature
signal indicating the target's temperature measured by the
temperature sensor unit, and for sending a command for the alarm
unit to give an alarm when the target's distance value measured by
the distance sensor unit equals the predetermined distance value;
and a display unit for displaying the target's temperature value
measured by the temperature sensor unit and processed by the
microprocessor unit subsequently.
2. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 1, further
comprising a push-button unit for inputting a command for the
temperature sensor unit to start measuring the target's temperature
when the distance sensor unit measures the predetermined distance
value.
3. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 2 wherein
the push-button unit is a button switch.
4. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 1 wherein
the distance sensor unit is a radiation emitter and receiver
device.
5. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 4 wherein
the radiation emitter and receiver device is an infrared emitter
and receiver device.
6. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 5 wherein
the infrared emitter and receiver device includes an infrared
emitter and an infrared receiver.
7. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 6, wherein
the infrared emitter is for emitting a radiation, and the infrared
receiver is for receiving the radiation reflected from the target
after hitting the target wherein the radiant energy is converted
into electrical energy in the form of digital signals and the
voltage output is for determining the target's distance.
8. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 7 wherein
an isolation board is further disposed between the infrared emitter
and the infrared receiver so that the infrared receiver is ensured
to receive the reflected radiant energy.
9. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 1 wherein
the distance sensor unit and/or the temperature sensor unit is/are
an infrared sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor.
10. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 1 wherein
the alarm unit is a speaker.
11. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 10
wherein the speaker gives an alarm message of long beep.
12. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 1 wherein
the alarm unit is an indicator light.
13. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 12
wherein the indicator light is an LED light.
14. The non-contact temperature-measuring device of claim 1 wherein
the alarm unit comprises both a speaker and an indicator light.
15. A method for non-contact temperature measurement, including:
setting a predetermined distance value; measuring a target's
distance value; determining whether the target's distance value
equals the predetermined distance value; giving an alarm; measuring
the target's temperature value and storing the data into memory;
and displaying the stored measurement data.
16. The method for non-contact temperature measurement of claim 15
wherein a means associated with radiant energy is used in the
process of measuring the target's distance.
17. The method for non-contact temperature measurement of claim 16
wherein the means associated with radiant energy takes the
following steps: receiving and converting radiant energy, which
comes from reflection after the radiation hits a target, to
electrical energy in the form of digital signals, wherein the
detailed steps include measuring a first distance L.sub.1 closet to
the target and a second distance L.sub.2 farthest from the target,
converting the radiant energy at distance L.sub.1 and L.sub.2 to
electrical energy AD.sub.1 and AD.sub.2, calculating a slope S by
applying the values to the slope formula S = AD 2 - AD 1 L 2 - L 1
, ##EQU00004## calculating the different electrical energy values
in the form of digital signals between two points at different
distances, and reversing the formula to render the distance
values.
18. The method for non-contact temperature measurement of claim 16
wherein the radiation is an infrared radiation.
19. The method for non-contact temperature measurement of claim 15,
further including a step of pressing a button switch after the step
of giving an alarm so that measurement of the target's temperature
is activated accordingly.
20. A method for non-contact temperature measurement, including:
setting a predetermined distance value; activating measurement of a
target's distance and measurement of a target's temperature;
measuring a target's distance value and measuring a target's
temperature value; determining whether the target's distance value
equals the predetermined distance value; giving an alarm and
storing the temperature measurement data simultaneously; and
displaying the stored measurement data.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and device for
temperature measurement, and more particularly to a method and
device for non-contact temperature measurement.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Given that conventional contact thermometers (for example,
mercury or electronic thermometers) are falling short of consumers'
needs, it is necessary to further develop methods and devices for
temperature measurement that enable measurements to be more
quickly, more accurate, easier to be carried out, easier to read
its result, more harmless, and more user-friendly. Currently,
non-contact temperature measurement devices using infrared
radiation, e.g., infrared ear thermometers or forehead
thermometers, have the advantages mentioned above and have thus
constitute a major part of temperature measurement devices on the
market. The most significant advantage of an infrared thermometer
lies in measuring a target's temperature by non-contact means, and
it is especially useful when the target is extremely hot, dangerous
to touch, or not accessible.
[0005] When a user presses a switch button on a conventional
infrared thermometer, a probe of the thermometer will point to the
target and measurement of the target's temperature can be taken in
a non-contact way. During the process, the measurement is taken
with indistinct distances between the probe of the infrared
thermometer and the target. The various distances of the target
then generate different outcomes of temperature value in each
measurement, and thus, errors and uncertainties of the measurement
increase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One objective of the present invention is to provide a
device for non-contact temperature measurement capable of setting a
predetermined distance value before measuring a target's distance
so as to reduce errors and to measure the target's temperature
value more accurately.
[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present
invention provides a non-contact temperature-measuring device
comprising a distance sensor unit, an alarm unit, a temperature
sensor unit, a microprocessor unit and a display unit. The distance
sensor unit measures a target's distance value. The alarm unit
gives an alarm after the distance sensor unit measures a
predetermined distance value of the target. The temperature sensor
unit measures a target's temperature after the alarm unit gives the
alarm. The microprocessor unit stores the predetermined distance
value and the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor
unit; the microprocessor unit further processes a distance signal
sent by the distance sensor unit and a temperature signal sent by
the temperature sensor unit. When the measured distance value of
the target equals the predetermined distance value, the
microprocessor unit sends a command for the alarm unit to give an
alarm. The display unit displays the temperature value measured by
the temperature sensor unit and subsequently processed by the
microprocessor unit.
[0008] It is preferable that the present invention further
comprises a push-button unit for an operator to input a command
that makes the temperature sensor unit to start measuring the
target's temperature after the distance sensor unit measures the
predetermined distance value.
[0009] It is preferable that the push-button unit is a button
switch.
[0010] It is preferable that the distance sensor unit is a
radiation emitter and receiver device.
[0011] It is preferable that the radiation emitter and receiver
device is an infrared emitter and receiver device.
[0012] It is preferable that the infrared emitter and receiver
device includes an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver.
[0013] It is preferable that the infrared emitter is for emitting
radiation, and the infrared receiver is for receiving the radiation
reflected from the target that has been hit by the radiation
emitted by the infrared emitter. The received radiant energy is
then converted into electrical energy in the form of digital
signals; by identifying the voltage output of the electrical
energy, the distance between the target and the infrared emitter
and receiver device can be measured.
[0014] It is preferable that an isolation board is further disposed
between the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver so that the
infrared receiver is ensured to receive the reflected
radiation.
[0015] It is preferable that the distance sensor unit and the
temperature sensor unit are infrared sensors or ultrasonic sensors
for measuring a distance value and a temperature value.
[0016] It is preferable that the alarm unit is a speaker or an
indicator light, or a combination of both. The speaker gives an
alarm of long beep, and the indicator light is an LED light.
[0017] The present invention provides a method for non-contact
temperature measurement including the following steps: setting a
predetermined distance value, measuring a target's distance value,
determining whether the target's distance value equals the
predetermined distance value, giving an alarm, measuring the
target's temperature value and storing the measurement data into
memory, and displaying the stored measurement data.
[0018] It is preferable that the target's distance value is
measured by a means associated with radiant energy.
[0019] It is preferable that said means associated with radiant
energy is employed by, first, receiving the reflected radiation of
an infrared wave that has hit the target, and by subsequently,
converting the radiant energy to electrical energy in the form of
digital signals. Said means is described in detail as follows.
First, a first distance L.sub.1 closest to the infrared emitter and
receiver device and a second distance L.sub.2 farthest from the
infrared emitter and receiver device are measured. Second, the
individual radiant energy values of infrared radiation reflected at
a distance of L.sub.1 and at a distance of L.sub.2 are converted
respectively to values AD.sub.1 and AD.sub.2 of the electrical
energy in the form of digital signals. Third, a slope formula
S = AD 2 - AD 1 L 2 - L 1 ##EQU00001##
is applied to obtain the slope between two points, and accordingly,
the different values of the electrical energy at different
distances are obtained. The target's distance value, which is the
result being sought for, can be further calculated by reversing the
formula.
[0020] It is preferable that the radiation is of an infrared
radiation.
[0021] It is preferable that after the step of giving an alarm, the
method further includes a step of a button switch being pressed by
the operator so that measurement of the target's temperature is
activated accordingly.
[0022] The present invention provides a non-contact
temperature-measuring device and the method thereof that measure a
target's distance by referring to a predetermined distance. The
present invention enables operators to measure temperature more
quickly and gain a more accurate result. The objective of reducing
errors and uncertainties is then achieved.
[0023] Further scope of the applicability of the present invention
will become apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating preferred
embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-contact
temperature-measuring device of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the use of the device of
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing measuring the target's
distance value with the device of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a curve diagram showing the distance value between
the infrared receiver and the target, and the value of reflected
energy;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the method for non-contact
temperature measurement of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the method of the present
invention according to another embodiment; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the method of the present
invention according to yet another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the device for non-contact temperature
measurement 100 of the present invention includes a distance sensor
unit 10 for measuring a target's distance value; an alarm unit 20
for giving an alarm when the distance sensor unit 10 measures a
predetermined distance value d; a temperature sensor unit 30 for
measuring the target's temperature when the alarm unit 20 gives the
alarm; a microprocessor unit 40 for storing the predetermined
distance value d and the temperature value measured by the
temperature sensor unit 30, for processing the distance signals
emitted by the distance sensor unit 10 and the temperature signals
emitted by the temperature sensor unit 30, and for sending a
command for the alarm unit 20 to give an alarm; and a display unit
50 for displaying the temperature value measured by the temperature
sensor unit 30 and subsequently processed by the microprocessor
unit 40.
[0032] The present invention further includes a push-button unit
(not shown) for inputting a command. When the distance sensor unit
10 measures a predetermined distance of the target, an operator can
input a command for the temperature sensor unit 30 to start
measuring the target's temperature value. Furthermore, the
push-button unit of the present invention is a button switch 60 (as
shown in FIG. 2).
[0033] In this embodiment, the distance sensor unit 10 and/or the
temperature sensor unit 30 is/are infrared sensors and/or
ultrasonic sensors for measuring a distance value and a temperature
value. The alarm unit 20 is a speaker or an indicator light or a
combination of both. If the alarm unit 20 is a speaker, the alarm
message will be a long beep. If the alarm unit 20 is an indicator
light, it will be an LED light.
[0034] Additionally, the present invention further includes an
error identification mechanism. If the distance sensor unit 10 does
not measure a predetermined distance value while the operator
presses the button switch by mistake, the device for non-contact
temperature measurement 100 will not start measuring the target's
temperature. Given that this error identification mechanism of
circuit design can be achieved easily by those skilled in the prior
art, this mechanism shall not be specified herein.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic view of using the device of
the present invention is shown. With the device for non-contact
temperature measurement 100, an operator points to a target whereof
temperature is to be measured. In this embodiment, the target is a
human forehead. The device 100 is then moved forwards and backwards
so that the distance sensor unit 10 of the device can constantly
measure the varying distances from the target; the operation does
not stop until the distance sensor unit 10 measures a predetermined
distance value d. When the predetermined distance value d set for
the device 100 is measured, the microprocessor unit 40 will send a
command for the alarm unit 20 to give an alarm. The operator now
presses the button switch 60, and the temperature sensor unit 30
starts measuring the target's temperature. The measured temperature
value is stored in the microprocessor unit 40 and then displayed on
the display unit 50.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the schematic illustration shows how
the device for non-contact temperature measurement of the present
invention measures a target's distance. The distance sensor unit 10
of the present invention is a radiation emitter and receiver
device, and in this embodiment, it is an infrared emitter and
receiver device. The infrared emitter and receiver device 10, which
measures the target's distance by a means associated with radiant
energy, includes an infrared emitter 11 and an infrared receiver
12. Generally, a radiation wave has many characteristics, one of
which being that it reflects from an object right after hitting the
object. Moreover, a radiation wave has different conductivities in
different media, which results in different speeds of a wave and
furthermore, in different properties of a wave. Therefore, it is
known that when the speed and conductivity of a radiation wave is
fixed, a distance can be inferred from the properties, e.g.,
energy, of a reflected wave. Since infrared wave is a kind of
radiation wave in certain waveband, it is used to obtain the
abovementioned objective in this embodiment. The infrared emitter
11 emits a radiation containing energy, and the radiation reflects
after hitting the target. The infrared receiver 12 then receives
the reflected radiation containing energy as well. The energy of
the reflected radiation is further converted to electrical energy.
Accordingly, the distance between the infrared emitter and receiver
device and the target can be identified by the voltage output.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, linear relationship can be observed
between the distance values and the reflected energy values in a
specific range of distance, as distance L.sub.1 to distance
L.sub.2. The optimal distance of a temperature sensor unit lies in
this range. Thus, this invention applies the linear relationship to
measure distance. Further detail of said means is described as
follows with reference to FIG. 3. The infrared emitter 11 emits a
radiation that hits the target from a distance L.sub.1 closest to
the target; the infrared receiver 12 then receives the reflected
radiation and identifies its energy. The analog signal of energy is
transferred to digital signal AD.sub.1. The distance L.sub.2
farthest from the target can be calculated with the same method:
the infrared emitter 11 emits a radiation to hit the target at a
distance L.sub.2; the infrared receiver 12 then receives another
reflected radiation. The analog signal of energy is transferred to
digital signal AD.sub.2. Then, a slope between a point at the
distance L.sub.1 and a point at the distance L.sub.2 can be
calculated by applying the above-mentioned values to this slope
formula:
S = AD 2 - AD 1 L 2 - L 1 . ##EQU00002##
The calculation result is then defined in the microprocessor unit
40 to render a value AD.sub.n at every distance L.sub.n.
[0038] To measure the target's temperature, the operator points the
device of the present invention to the target, and distance
detection starts first, the process being: the infrared emitter 11
emits a radiation that hits the target; the infrared receiver 12
receives the radiation reflected from the target; the reflected
radiant energy is converted into electrical energy value AD.sub.n
in the form of digital signals and then sent to the microprocessor
unit 40; the value AD.sub.n is applied to the slope formula, and
the distance value L.sub.n between the infrared receiver 12 and the
target is calculated by reversing the formula:
AD.sub.n=((L.sub.n-L.sub.1).times.S)+AD.sub.1; the device 100 does
not stop measuring distance until the predetermined distance value
d is obtained; the microprocessor unit 40 then sends a command for
the alarm unit 20 to give an alarm; the operator presses the button
switch 60 to activate temperature measurement by the temperature
sensor unit 30; the measured temperature value is recorded and
stored; and finally, the stored temperature value is displayed on
the display unit 50.
[0039] In this embodiment, an isolation board 13 is further
disposed between the infrared emitter 11 and the infrared receiver
12 so that the infrared receiver 12 is ensured to receive the
reflected radiant energy.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, the flow chart shows an embodiment of
the method for non-contact temperature measurement of the present
invention. In step 101, the process of measuring the target's
temperature starts. In step 102, a predetermined distance value d
is set. In step 103, the distance sensor unit 10 is employed to
measure the target's distance value, and the measured distance
value is sent to the microprocessor unit 40. In step 104, the
microprocessor unit 40 receives the distance value measured by the
distance sensor unit 10 and determines whether the measured
distance value equals the predetermined distance value d; if yes,
the operation proceeds to step 105, otherwise the operation goes
back to step 103 to repeat measuring the target's distance value.
In step 105, the microprocessor unit 40 sends a command to the
alarm unit 20, making it send out an alarm. In step 106, upon
sending a command to give an alarm, the microprocessor unit 40 also
sends a command for the temperature sensor unit 30 to measure the
target's temperature value. In step 107, the operator presses the
button switch of the push-button to read the temperature value. In
step 108, the measured temperature value is recorded and stored. In
step 109, the recorded temperature value is displayed, and in step
110, the process for temperature measurement ends.
[0041] In step 103 of this embodiment, a distance sensor unit 10 is
employed to measure the target's distance. The distance sensor unit
10 is an infrared emitter and receiver device that includes an
infrared emitter 11 and an infrared receiver 12 (as shown in FIG.
3). The infrared emitter 11 emits a radiation that hits the target.
The infrared receiver 12 receives the radiation reflected from the
target and identifies its energy. The radiant energy is then
converted to electrical energy in the form of digital signals. A
distance L.sub.1 closest to the target and a distance L.sub.2
farthest from the target can be calculated with the same method.
The respective radiant energy at distance L.sub.1 and distance
L.sub.2 is then converted to electrical energy AD.sub.1 and
AD.sub.2 in the form of digital signals. Then, a slope between a
point at the distance L.sub.1 and a point at the distance L.sub.2
can be calculated by applying the above-mentioned values to this
slope formula:
S = AD 2 - AD 1 L 2 - L 1 . ##EQU00003##
The calculation result is then defined in the microprocessor unit
40 to render a value AD.sub.n at every distance L.sub.n. The value
AD.sub.n is applied to the slope formula, and the distance value
L.sub.n between the infrared receiver 12 and the target can be
calculated by reversing the formula:
AD.sub.n=((L.sub.n-L.sub.1).times.S)+AD.sub.1.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, the flow chart shows another embodiment
of the method for non-contact temperature measurement of the
present invention. In step 101, the process of measuring the
target's temperature starts. In step 102, a predetermined distance
value d is set. In step 103, a predetermined absolute value range
|S| is set. In step 104, the distance sensor unit 10 is employed to
measure the target's distance, and the measured distance value is
sent to the microprocessor unit 40. In step 105, after receiving
the distance value measured by the distance sensor unit 10, the
microprocessor unit 40 then begins processing and determines
whether the difference between the measured distance value and the
predetermined distance value d is within the predetermined absolute
value range |S|; if yes, the operation proceeds to step 106,
otherwise the operation goes back to step 104 to repeat measuring
the target's distance value. In step 106, the microprocessor unit
40 sends a command to the alarm unit 20, making it send out an
alarm. In step 107, upon sending a command to give an alarm, the
microprocessor unit 40 also sends a command for the temperature
sensor unit 30 to measure the target's temperature value. In step
108, the operator presses the button switch of the push-button to
read the temperature value. In step 109, the measured temperature
value is recorded and stored. In step 110, the recorded temperature
value is displayed, and in step 111, the process for temperature
measurement ends.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, the flow chart shows yet another
embodiment of the method for non-contact temperature measurement of
the present invention. In step 101, the process of measuring the
target's temperature starts. In step 102, a predetermined distance
value d is set. In step 103, the button switch of the push-button
unit is pressed to activate measurement of the target's distance
and temperature. In step 104, the distance sensor unit 10 measures
the target's distance and the temperature sensor unit 30 measures
the target's temperature; the measured distance value and the
measured temperature value are then sent to the microprocessor unit
40. In step 105, upon receipt of the distance value measured by the
distance sensor unit 10, the microprocessor unit 40 begins
processing and determines whether the measured distance value
equals the predetermined distance value d; if yes, the operation
proceeds to step 106, otherwise the operation goes back to step 104
to repeat measurement of the distance value and temperature value.
In step 106, the microprocessor unit 40 sends a command to the
alarm unit 20, making it send out an alarm; at the same time, the
microprocessor unit 40 sends a command for the temperature sensor
unit 30 to record and store the measured temperature value. In step
107, the recorded temperature value is displayed, and in step 108,
the process of temperature measurement ends.
[0044] The non-contact temperature-measuring device according to
the present invention enables operators to measure temperature
faster and obtain a more accurate result, wherein uncertainties and
errors during the process of temperature measurement are
reduced.
[0045] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that
the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be
regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention,
and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in
the art are intended to be included within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *